Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1887-07-22
4TOID CHANGES.

We occasionally hear it suggested,
in fact it is being prominently urged,
that there should be change i'll the
mode of electing United States Sena-
tors. 1t is urged that the people by
direct vote, and not through the Legis-
lature, should supply this most i'm
portant Office. At first glance there is
much plausible and attractive in this
position. It is unhappily true that in
recent days, wealth is exercising a
potential influence in selecting United
States Senators, or in other words
Legislatures are being bribed, cor
rupted, bought out right and that
money, not talent-not merit and pur
ity-but simply money is requisite to
Justify and warrant ambition for Sen
atorial honors This il particularly
true in the new states where crude
wealth is abundant and often passes
into the hands of those whose minds
are crude and uncultivated. No man
should seek great positions just for the
sake Of the nominal honors, but he
should by patient thought and toll and
study seek to secure the qualifications
that would honor and adorn the posi-
tion. With many of the new and
lucky Senators, this ambition comes at
too late period in life. The original
foundation, the early education and
training so absolutely necessary, are
wholly wanting and the most they can
hope to accomplish, is to secure super
fetal coating to conceal ignorance and
avoid disgrace. In the Senate chamber
dignified silence is their highest merit,
and in the social world royalty of
establishment and splendor Of enter
tainment secure the adulation of the
critic who fawns at the foot of wealth.
1t is truly deplorable picture. A
similar condition of affairs presaged
the downfall of the great Roman SEN
ate and this 'bodes no good for ours
But notwithstanding all this and other
arguments that could be advanced IN
its support, we cannot endorse any
change IN our manner of choosing
Senators. It is true that it is easier to
buy the Legislature than it is the
people. If for no better reason, there
are SO many more of them. But it is
strange indeed, if pure and good mer
cannot be selected for the Legislature
After all the fault relates back to the
people. Our main objection, however
to any change is fundamental. We
would view it as dangerous innova
tion upon our system of government
In speaking of cur form of govern
ment. Madison laid down the principle
shat the equal vote allowed to each
state In the Senate, is a6 once con
stitutional recognition of the portion ol
sovereignty, remaining in the indi
yidual states, and an instrument fol
preserving that residuary sovereignty
So far the e| quality ought to be no les;
acceptable to the large than to the
small states Since they are not less
solicitous to guard, by every possible
expedient, against an improper consol
idation of the states into one simple
republic In word, the Senate rep
resents the sovereignty Of the respect
i've states. To elect by the people
wonld be to render the Senate popu
lar body and therefore Senators shoulc
be elected according to population a.
the Representatives ale chosen now
and then New York would be justly
entitled to thirty times as many Sena
tors as Oregon. By this one act
more than by any other we can con
ceive of,-thc sovereignty Of the states
would be destroyed, The great Dem
ocratic party of this great Union mus
never consent to any material change
in our plan of government. In fac
they shodl never suffer it to be tamp
cred wit b. We cannot look to any
other party to preserve it in the spirit
in which it was conceived by our an
cestors apd under which it has at
tanned its greatest glory. The origin
history and traditions of the Republi
can party all tend toward centraliza
tion and empire and it would be a
great calamity if that party should ever
be restored to power. In fact the
mission Of the Democratic party is
coextensive with the existence of the
Republic, and it is never so safe anc
reliable as when adhering firmly tc
the pure old-fashioned principles upor
which it was founded. Amendment!
may not amend, and all proposed
changes should be viewed with jealous
suspicion.
Ben Butler has given his opinion o
the interstate law, and he hits th'
,,o,.i, obo,,4 IN +ba oon4or Jo sor,